UPDATE: Semi Truck Driver Attacked on I-84, Suspect in Custody

Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of the Malheur County District Attorney's Office, are continuing the investigation into the stabbing of a commercial truck driver yesterday afternoon along Interstate 84 about fifteen miles west of Ontario. The suspect is in custody and was positively identified this morning. The truck driver, who was stabbed multiple times, is being treated at a Boise-area hospital.

At approximately 12:09 p.m. yesterday, OSP received a report of a stabbing along Interstate 84 eastbound near milepost 358. A commercial truck pulling two tanker trailers containing milk driven by 63-year-old Charles Vanzante from Jerome, Idaho, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 84 when, unprovoked, a Buick Lacrosse displaying Washington license plates driven by an adult male began ramming the truck's diesel tanks.

Vanzante pulled the truck and trailers to the side of the road and stopped. The Buick's driver stopped the car against the side of the truck, got out and entered the truck where he stabbed Vanzante multiple times.

The suspect fled up a hill south of the scene and then returned back to the truck where he briefly engaged in a second struggle with Vanzante. He then was surrounded by several citizens outside the truck and convinced to stay as OSP troopers began arriving at the scene and took the suspect into custody at gunpoint.

An OSP lieutenant and trooper initiated emergency medical care on Vanzante until relieved by medical responders. Vanzante was transported by air ambulance to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. His injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. He was stabbed multiple times in the chest and stomach area. The knife was recovered.

The suspect was lodged in the Malheur County Jail. Fingerprints positively identified him as 28-year-old Dustin Leroy Rotter, with a last known address in Modesto, California. Rotter was lodged on charges of Attempted Murder, Assault in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Additional charges may be pending. The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Pasco, Washington, in a reported carjacking on Sunday.